they were premier fighting units among the best in u.s. history. the soldiers of the 442nd regimental combat team served with such distinction that 21 of them were awarded the medal of honor. no other regiment in history has this distinction given size and length of service. her legacy as a drumbeat of loyalty, of kurds, honor, dedication and sacrifice. dan inouye served as an infantryman, and listing in 1943 at age 18. within a year he was promoted to sergeant. his performance of combat lead to a battlefield commission as second lieutenant in 1944, age 20. less than a year later, while leading his platoon on an attack on enemy machine-gun positions, he was grievously wounded and permanently disabled. his actions on 21 april 1945 content so, italy with a retired example of strength, stamina, courage and determination. for which he received one of the 21 idols of honor awarded to soldiers. dan inouye another veterans return to war, having achieved something monumental, something as we say larger than themselves. and they sensed they had earned the r